From Mac Portable to MacBook Pro: 20 years of Apple laptops

20 years ago, Apple introduced its first portable Mac—we hesitate to say …

Sunday marked the 20th anniversary of the first portable Macintosh computer, the aptly-named Macintosh Portable. While it was indeed portable, it was anything but svelte. Apple's first non-desktop Mac weighed in at nearly 16lb and was a beast at 4" thick, 15.25" wide and 14.8" deep. While the 9.8" 1-bit, 640x400 display is quaint by today's standards, it was active-matrix, an expensive rarity in the days of passive matrix portable computers. Unfortunately, it wasn't backlit.

The Portable sold for a whopping $6,500 when it was launched in September 1989, and it's hardly surprising that it was never a top-seller. The hardware was modest, even by contemporary standards. It rocked a 16MHz 68000 CPU and shipped with 1MB of RAM, as well as a 40MB hard drive. It was updated in February 1991 with a backlit display, but Apple snuffed out the Portable line in October of that year when it launched its first PowerBook, the PowerBook 100.

In recognition of the 20-year anniversary of the Macintosh Portable, let's look back at some of the superstars of Apple's laptop lineup—as well as a couple of duds that should never have made it out of Cupertino.

The pre-Power PC era

PowerBook 170

When introduced in October 1991, the PowerBook 100 series had a handful of innovations that are now commonplace in laptops of all shapes and sizes. It moved the keyboard back from the front of the case and had a central control for the pointer in the form of the trackball in front of it. There was also the full complement of desktop Mac ports, including ADB, serial, and SCSI.

The PowerBook 170 was one of the first three PowerBook models released, arriving on the scene along with the PowerBook 100 and 140 in October 1991. It stood out from the other two by virtue of its active-matrix black-and-white display and 25MHz 68030 CPU. All of that computing power came at a price. The 170 shipped for $4,600, $2,100 more than the 16MHz 68000-powered PowerBook 100.

The 170 weighed in at 6.8lbs—a full 9lb lighter than the Mac Portable it replaced—and was far smaller at 2.25"x11.25"x9.3". The 170 was on the market for only a year, replaced by the PowerBook 180 12 months after its introduction, but it truly revolutionized laptop design.

PowerBook Duo 250

Over the last 20 years, Apple has repeatedly tried its hand at a crafting the ultimate sub-notebook. The first attempt was the PowerBook Duo—a slimmer, lighter laptop with little in the way of expandability and no removable storage media. (Sound familiar?) The first in the lineup was the PowerBook Duo 210, which was released in October 1992. It was another year before the Duo 250 shipped, offering an active-matrix grayscale display and a decent amount of computing power in a small package.

The Duo had a 33MHz 68030 CPU, 4MB of RAM, and a 200MB hard drive. Its only connection to the outside world was a single serial port capable of supporting a modem or printer. If you needed to hook it up to a monitor, external SCSI disk drive, or floppy drive, Apple sold the Duo Dock, which offered the full complement of desktop ports as well as NuBus slots. The Dock was an additional $500 above and beyond the $2,600 price of the Duo 250, but turned the sub-notebook into a desktop Mac solution.

The most amazing thing about the Duo was its size and weight. It was only 1.4" thick (compared to the 2.25" of contemporary PowerBooks) and it weighed a scant 4.2lb when the rest of Apple's portable lineup was in the 7lb range. The form factor was a popular one, living on into the PowerPC era in the form of the PowerBook Duo 2300 and then the PowerBook 2400c, which was shipped through the end of 1998.

PowerBook 540c

The years immediately following the death of the Macintosh Portable saw a steady stream of 100-series PowerBooks. All of them were heavy, gray slabs with trackballs and and 68030 processors. Then in May 1994, Apple introduced the "Blackbird," the 500-series PowerBooks. Of the four 500-series PowerBooks, the star of the show was unquestionably the PowerBook 540c.

The PowerBook 540c sported a 33MHz 68LC040 CPU (the first Apple laptop to use that particular CPU), 4MB of RAM (expandable to 12MB), and a 320MB hard drive. The display was a 16-bit active-matrix 9.5" color display that really popped. The 540c (and its siblings the 520, 520c, and 540) was the first to include a trackpad and built-in Ethernet. It could even be upgraded to a PowerPC CPU via a daughtercard. Other highlights included the ability to handle two NiMH batteries for five hours of battery life, an internal modem, and support for early PC Cards via an expansion bay cage.

Perhaps the best thing about the 540c is that it felt fast. Unlike other PowerBooks of the early 1990s, one didn't feel hobbled by the hardware. The 540c arrived at the dawn of the Power Macintosh era, but its contemporary the Power Mac 6100/60 hardly felt like a speed demon with its 60MHz PPC 601 CPU. The 540c was Apple's last top-of-the line 680x0 laptop as the company would migrate the PowerBook lineup to the PowerPC architecture within a couple of years.

The PowerBook era

PowerBook G3 250MHz (Wallstreet)

Although Apple introduced its first PowerPC portable in 1995 (more on the PowerBook 5300 later), it wasn't until the introduction of the Wallstreet PowerBook G3 in May 1998 that Apple produced a truly distinctive PowerBook. Wallstreet wasn't the first laptop to use the G3 (PowerPC 750) processor—that honor went to the "Kanga" that debuted the previous November—but it was the first to be designed from the ground up for the G3.

Wallstreet introduced the build-to-order model for Apple laptops, having a multitude of different configuration options to fit the budget. The 233MHz model included 32MB of RAM and a 12.1" 800x600 color display for $2,299 (sans floppy, modem, and L2 cache); the 292MHz model offered 64MB of RAM and a 14.1" display for a cool $5,599. The price-to-performance sweet spot was the 250MHz model with a 1024x768 13.3" display for $3,899.

Wallstreet offered all sorts of expandability via expansion bays, two Card Bus-compatible PC card slots, and even S-video out on the 13.3" and 14.1" models. The 233MHz machine was a bit of a stinker with its lack of L2 cache, but the 250MHz and 292MHz models were solid performers. The Wallstreet also has the distinction of being the oldest Apple laptop capable of booting into Mac OS X.

89 Reader Comments

I'm surprised it's even that many. For a company like Apple, even this list seems relatively abundant when you consider that these are pretty major overhauls within a 20 year period. I'm pretty sure Dell would easily have several pages of laptops not worth mentioning in the history books. And what about Windows PC makers spurring "innovation"? Where's the innovation there... as far as I can see Apple was the first one to ditch expansion ports, first one to bring out a laptop, first to bring out a modern layout for the laptop form factor, first to add color, first to put their machines in metal.... what exactly did the PC guys do? Oh right, they did Blu-Ray first. Thanks for the annoying DRM...

Originally posted by bartfat:I'm surprised it's even that many. For a company like Apple, even this list seems relatively abundant when you consider that these are pretty major overhauls within a 20 year period. I'm pretty sure Dell would easily have several pages of laptops not worth mentioning in the history books. And what about Windows PC makers spurring "innovation"? Where's the innovation there... as far as I can see Apple was the first one to ditch expansion ports, first one to bring out a laptop, first to bring out a modern layout for the laptop form factor, first to add color, first to put their machines in metal.... what exactly did the PC guys do? Oh right, they did Blu-Ray first. Thanks for the annoying DRM...

Apple stuck with a one button mouse forever. Apple continue to ignore ports such as DVI and eSata in favour of their own mini-display port and Firewire. Apple didn't invent USB ports, they just were the first to drop serial and parallel in favour of USB. Apple didn't invent ethernet, PCMCIA, Wifi. The "PC guys are a large collection of companies, most of whom are not as obsessed with their image as Apple, and therefore not as inclined to seek credit for the innovations that they and Apple have benefitted from.

I loved the Pismo like I loved no other computer before or since. It was actually just a day or two ago that I realized that an iPhone is more powerful (albeit on a different architecture) than the Pismo and gumdrop iMacs.

Originally posted by windywoo:Apple stuck with a one button mouse forever. Apple continue to ignore ports such as DVI and eSata in favour of their own mini-display port and Firewire.

Actually there were full DVI or mini-DVI on apple's laptops for years, up until the unibody actually. eSATA would have been nice, although the number of external drives that used it was dwarfed by USB anyway.

Although I agree the iBook was a complete fail on the technical side, it was the first laptop really from anyone that introduced the concept of style. Everything previous was gray or beige plastic.

Originally posted by smartalco:Actually there were full DVI or mini-DVI on apple's laptops for years, up until the unibody actually. eSATA would have been nice, although the number of external drives that used it was dwarfed by USB anyway.

Really? Didn't know that about DVI, m iBook and my 2006 Macbook don't have it so I suppose it must have been on the more expensive ones.

The number of drives supporting eSATA may be small, but Apple position themselves as high end products for users who desire performance. eSATA provides more bandwidth than Firewire or USB.

Both my 15" MacBook Pro and the 15" PowerBook before it had full DVI ports, the 12" PowerBook had a mini-DVI connector that came with the unit, not as an optional extra.

I usually find that external connectivity options on the Mac are just that little bit better than PC's by default, although it does of course depend on the PC model, but there seems to be a whole raft of PC laptops that expect you to buy an extra $250 docking station to get DVI, where on the Mac laptops you get DVI by default, and that can be converted to VGA if needed.

Not including DVI by default probably means they can make a slightly cheaper option, but some of your portability goes out the window if you have to pack a dock as well.

Yes, the unibody MBP cases are a beautiful thing to behold. However, I can't say the same for the hinges on them. My hinge broke out of the box and was replaced (the plastic and metal separated at the back), and the new one is slightly wobbly and sticks out a bit at one end. For such a beautiful case to have such a flimsy and weak-feeling hinge is such a shame.

I know it's plastic because that's where they hide the wireless antennae, but really - it needs to feel just as solid as the case itself, and it doesn't at present.

The Macbook Air's hinge has problems of its own, but we'll leave those for another time

A bit harsh on the iBook. There were a lot of failures, yes, but most of them worked just fine and came along at the right time to help popularise Apple with students. They were cheap (by Apple's standards), looked good and were reasonably robust without being crippled technologically.

I think the dual-USB iBook deserves more credit, as Apple's first consumer notebook with a usable screen (1024x768 vs. the clamshell's 800x600) and real portability (4.9 lbs vs. the clamshell at 6.7 lbs!).

It certainly had its share of problems though. As the owner of a late-2001 iBook (600 MHz, 100 MHz bus) I don't think the bus speed was what made it so slow under OS X, but rather the Rage128 that meant it couldn't run Quartz Extreme, and the lack of AltiVec which IMO made OS X much smoother.

Also, like the clamshell, it was an absolute bitch to open up and fix. I had to take mine apart twice, once to replace the hard drive and another time to replace the display backlight cable (which had been shredded inside the hinge). In addition, the plastic that the keyboard is made of tends to disintegrate after 5 or 6 years, so it starts to smell like *pungent* BO. I was thinking about maybe firing up my old iBook tomorrow, but...not sure I'm ready to smell that again.

Great summary of the Apple laptops - good and otherwise - through the years... and yes, I agree with the conclusion on the Dual USB iBook - I have not-so-fond memories of a hdd upgrade that meant stripping down the whole thing (take the bottom case off, turn over, take the top case off, turn over...)

I loved my 12" PowerBook like no other laptop until I needed to make the leap to Intel (I need AutoCAD for work). The 13" MBP I replaced it with is gorgeous, but I wish it had the form factor of my old 12" beast.

I sold it to a bloke from London with movement difficulties so he could write a novel on the move. I hope it's bringing him as much joy as it did me.

I miss the PowerBook name. Macbook Pro sounds somewhat up it's own arse.

I have an AlBook form-factor MBP, and I think it's an absolutely classic design. I really appreciate the sturdiness of the unibody Macbooks, but think how many adverts you see where an AlBook is used as a 'generic' laptop. It's pervasive.

Originally posted by Jonathan Boyd:A bit harsh on the iBook. There were a lot of failures, yes, but most of them worked just fine and came along at the right time to help popularise Apple with students. They were cheap (by Apple's standards), looked good and were reasonably robust without being crippled technologically.

I wish someone had told the burglars who nicked my wife's iBook that it was a 'stinker' and not worth bothering with - she loved that laptop and used it perfectly happily from the day I bought it for her until the day it was pinched.

(The happy ending is that the insurers didn't try and fob us off with a PC as feared, and in fact replaced it with one of the aluminium MacBooks, which makes my earlier black-tax-paid MacBook decidedly jealous...)

The laptop I've coveted the most though was my Powerbook G3 (Lombard.) A thing of beauty, it was... Funnily enough, that was also nicked - although they broke into the office rather than home for that heist.

Top Tip: Owners of Apple laptops would be well advised to make sure they have good insurance

It certainly had its share of problems though. As the owner of a late-2001 iBook (600 MHz, 100 MHz bus) I don't think the bus speed was what made it so slow under OS X, but rather the Rage128 that meant it couldn't run Quartz Extreme, and the lack of AltiVec which IMO made OS X much smoother.

They later fixed this with the 600/700 Mhz 16 Mb VRAM model, which added QE support and 100 Mhz FSB. These models were also the more reliable of the iBook line; suffering less of the video chip unseating problems than the models before and after them. We've got two of them (600 Mhz) still in use in our household today, whereas my 800 Mhz model took a dump a few years ago. Even reballing/reflowing the solder under the video chip doesn't fix the problem forever, based on reports from LowEndMac.com mailing list members.

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Also, like the clamshell, it was an absolute bitch to open up and fix. I had to take mine apart twice, once to replace the hard drive and another time to replace the display backlight cable (which had been shredded inside the hinge). In addition, the plastic that the keyboard is made of tends to disintegrate after 5 or 6 years, so it starts to smell like *pungent* BO. I was thinking about maybe firing up my old iBook tomorrow, but...not sure I'm ready to smell that again.

Yes... they're a definite pain in the ass to rip apart and replace anything short of memory. The BO smell you point out is actually due to the disintegration of the adhesive on the underside of the keyboard. My 8 year old 600 Mhz model luckily hasn't exhibited this unfortunate odor.... yet.

The "Icebook" line had major reliability problems throughout its entire run, so they can be had very cheaply these days. The sweet spot seems to be the models I still have in use, and for G3s, they're small, great walking around machines with just enough speed to be very useful. I still lust after a 12" G4 alum book, though...

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I loved the Pismo like I loved no other computer before or since. It was actually just a day or two ago that I realized that an iPhone is more powerful (albeit on a different architecture) than the Pismo and gumdrop iMacs.

Heh. I also own two Pismos; one in near mint condition that I use as a "bedside" machine. If only the video in the Pismo were better, it would be my main walking around machine. The 8 Mb video really slows things down in OS X. Definitely the best Powerbook G3 Apple put out, though.

My brothers Titanium PowerBook G4, is now 8 and a half years old, has fallen from table height 3 times, enclosure has cracks and one of the screen holders is also broken but its a monster, still works.

Dude, a two buttoned mouse is hardly "innovation" - and rather old hat. In fact Engelbarts original mouse concept only had 1 button, but there is a video knocking about on the internet of a 3 buttoned mouse demoed by Engelbart in the late 60's. It has got to be the weakest reason why PC > Mac and to turn your argument around - Mac was so innovative, it only needed 1 button on it's mouse to make it useable...

Clocked at 500MHz, the iBook G3 suffered from a 66MHz system bus, ... Performance was tolerable with Mac OS 9.1, which it shipped with, but the slow bus was especially painful for those who took the Mac OS X plunge early on.

I can't believe you choose the aluminum over the titanium... My titanium was the best laptop I have ever had. Slim, light, reliable and you could bend the screen all the way back so you could put it on your knees... the only problem was "jet mode"!

When Apple started putting all the ports on the sides of the PowerBooks those docks got pretty unwieldy, so I switched to an aluminum stand that put it at the same level as my external monitor.

Now I plug in 4 cables into my MacBook Pro: Power (duh), FireWire 800 for 2 RAID drives (Time Machine and mass storage), USB for a powered USB2 hub and DVI for a 26" 1920 x 1200 ViewSonic monitor. It's not that big a deal plugging and unplugging.

The gumdrop ibooks were really innovative in terms of marketing and sales. It was the first line of laptops squarely aimed at consumers, and together with the imac, kept apple alive, really. Having said that, I guess the fisher price-ness of the design is a bit nauseating, really.

My favorite all time was the wall street era. Those just reeked of superiority and class. There really isn't a design that gives me that feeling anymore, from anyone.

Originally posted by zukes:the right click back then was "ctrl + Mousebutton"

There was also some little utility I used that would automatically trigger a Control-Click (proper Mac parlance for right-click) by simply holding the mouse button down for an extra second (it was adjustable).

I've used multi-button Kensington trackballs with my Macs for YEARS. I even programmed one of the buttons on my WACOM tablet stylus to Control-Click.